Label press



J. BAHELKA Dec. 27, 1932.

LABEL PRES S Filed Jan. 25, 1952 Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH BAHELKA, OF LINDEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T STANCO, INCORPORATED LABEL rnnss Application filed January 23, 1932. Serial No. 588,279.

m Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the devlce.

Referring particularly to the drawing, reference numeral 1 designates a base plate. Posts 2 project upwardly from the base plate ;to constitute a supporting framework. A

trough or rack 3 extends horizontally within the framework and is adapted to receive a labeled article or receptacle such as a jar 4:- After a label has been freshly pasted to the jar, the jar is positioned with its side walls supported by the trough and with the label facing upwardly for a purpose to be later described.

The trough is supported for reciprocating :movement by means of cams 6 and 7. The cams 6 and 7 are carried by cam shafts 8 and 9 respectively. The cam shafts are each supported by brackets 10 and 11. The cam shafts are actuated by means of a crank 13 8 ,;which is keyed to the cam shaft 8 and which is connected by means of links 14 and 15 with the cam shaft 9. The crank 13 is provided with a handle 16.

The trough 3 is normally maintained in 85 its withdrawn position by the following arrangement of parts: A block extends transversely across the trough and is secured to the under. surface of the trough. The block 20 is provided with holes which are adapted to freely receive guide posts 21 and 22 which project upwardly from the base plate 1 on opposite sides of the trough. The guide posts 21 and 22 are provided with helical springs 23 and 24 respectively which abut .:at one end against the block 20 and which abut at their opposite ends against caps 25 and 26 upon the guide posts. Manipulation of the crank lever 13 to lift the trough compresses the helical springs 23 and 24. Upon .:;returning the crank lever 13 toits initial position the helical springs push the trough back to 1ts original position.

Pressure plates are yieldably mounted opposi-te and in spaced relation to the trough. Each pressure plate includes face 30 which is preferably provided with a facmg 31 of flexible material such as rubber composition. The facing preferably conforms at least generally tothe configuration of the freshly the drawing. Thearticlecngaging face of f eachpressure plate'is supported by means of a shaft .33 which extendsupwardlyfi through spaced brackets 3% carried by theposts 2.

A collar 36on each shaft 33 engages the p and rigidly bracket- 34.-Yto limit downward movement of the corresponding pressure plate. A key 37 carried by each shaft 33 engages a suitable keyway in the bracket 34 whereby turning of the pressure plate is prevented. A helical spring 39 surrounds each shaft 33. One end of each spring 39 engages the bracket 35 and the other end of the. spring engagesthe, collar 36. The pressure of each spring 39 rune.

tions to yieldably force its pressure plate downwardly toward the trough 3.

After placing a freshly labeled article in the trough with the label facing a pressure plate the trough is elevated until the article is held betweenthe pressure plate and the trough. The helical springs 39 maintain a yielding portion of the pressure plate against the label and article. When another article is ready to he placed in the machine the crank handle 13 is pushed back to its originalposition lowering the trough. The next article is then placed on the trough pushing the preceding article forward longitudinally o fthe trough to, a position under the next pressure plate. The crank handle 13 is then manipulatedto compress the articlesv between the trough and the pressure plates. Succeeding freshly labeled articles are inserted in the machine in the same manner and the preceding articlesare successively ejectedfrom the opposite end of the trough. The machineis preferably so designed that the articles will be subjected to compression between the labeled .article such as the jar illustrated in Q trough and pressure plates for a suflicient length of time to cause the adhesive of the labels to set properly with the labels adhering firmly to the articles. The articles ej ected from the machine can be collected upon a suitable conveyor or skid, not shown.

By the construction described labels are compressed smoothly upon the article, such as jars, so as to conform to the contour of the jar surfaces, for a sufficient length of time to allow the adhesive to set and retain the labels in a satisfactory condition during handling, storing, shipping and the like.

Various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims in which it is desired to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as the prior art permits.

I claim:

1. A machine for pressing a label against an article, comprising a trough for receiving the labeled article, a pressure plate yieldably mounted opposite and in spaced relation to the trough and having its article engaging face conforming to the configuration of the article, and means for eifecting relative movement of the trough and pressure plate toward each other whereby the label is pressed against the article. 2. A machine for pressing a label against an article, comprising a trough for receiving the labeled article, a pressure plate yieldably mounted opposite and in spaced relation to the trough and having its article engaging face conforming to the configuration of the article, means for forcing the trough toward the pressure plate whereby the label is pressed against the article, and means for withdrawing the trough from the pressure plate.

3. A machine for pressing a label against an article, comprising a trough for receiving the labeled article, a pressure plate yieldably mounted opposite and in spaced relation to the trough and having its article engaging face conforming to the configuration of the article, cams mounted to engage the trough, and means for actuating the cams for forcing the trough toward the pressure plate whlereby the label is pressed against the artic e.

4. A machine for pressing labels against articles comprising an elongated trough for receiving the labeled articles, a plurality of pressure plates disposed opposite and in spaced relation to the trough, the pressure plates being yieldably mounted opposite the trough and each having its article engaging face conforming to the configuration of the articles, and means for effecting relative movement of the trough and pressure plates toward each other whereby the labels are pressed against the articles.

5. A machine according to claim 4 in which the trough has a smooth surface to permit sliding of the articles longitudinally of the trough upon withdrawal of the trough and plate members from each other whereby additional articles can be inserted in the trough.

JOSEPH BAHELKA. 

